Jim Carrey Clears Up His Stance on Antidepressants

Funnyman Jim Carrey continues to speak out about a very serious issue – the best way to treat depression.

“There are a lot of different ways to skin a cat,” the actor, 46, told PEOPLE at Wednesday’s Yes Man premiere in L.A. “It’s important to think on our own.”

Carrey – who has long been open about his own battles with depression – says he’s the happiest he’s ever been thanks to vitamin supplements. Too often, he claims, people think anti-depressants are the only answer.

“I think the medical establishment we’re presented with, it’s a system,” said the comedian. “They’re taught a certain thing. There is drug company money that goes into the educational system. I’m saying you have to look outside that, and consider the other possibilities for people.”

In the end, he said, “It’s important that there are alternatives.”

Carrey made similar comments to CNN’s Larry King on Monday night, wading into potentially controversial territory. Most notably, he said he “didn’t disagree” with Tom Cruise‘s infamous condemnations of prescription medications.

“I think Prozac and things like that are very valuable to people for short periods of time,” he said on the show. “But I believe if you’re on them for an extended period of time, you never get to the problem.”

Carrey was joined at the premiere by girlfriend Jenny McCarthy – who has also been an outspoken proponent of alternative medical treatments for her son, Evan, who suffers from Autism.

The couple will have a “small Christmas” this year, Carrey said, noting that dinner will probably include “turkey genocide of some sort.”